Readily removable implement handle

ABSTRACT

A detachable handle for a vacuum cleaner, tool, floor scrubber, sweeper or other device, which handle may be moved freely and effectively when in its installed position, yet which can be readily removed or thereafter re-installed merely by moving a slidable member, without it being necessary to remove or install screws or other fastening devices.

Aug. 5, 1975 United States Patent [191 Schaffer et al.

3.744084 7/1973 Fankhouser 16/115 READILY REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT HANDLE [75] Inventors: Richard H. Schaffer; Joseph 0. Primary Emminerpaul Gilliam Bren, both f Ocala Fla Assislant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Julian C. Rcnfro [73] Assignee: The Bison Company, Ocala. Fla.

Filed: Mar. 19, 1973 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No: 342,743

A detachable handle for a vacuum cleaner, tool, floor scrubber, sweeper or other device, which handle may [52] US. 16/114; 280/4737 be moved f l and ff i l when in its i n position, yet which can be readily removed or thereafter re-installed merely by moving a slidable member, without it being necessary to remove or install screws or other fastening devices.

[51] Int. A47g 27/04 [58] Field of Search....... 16/114; 294/64; 28O/47137 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS .621.511 Wilbur et 16/114 21 Clam, 8 Drawmg Flgures PATENTEU AUG 5|975 SHEET PATENTEU AUG 5W5 SHEET PATENTEDAUB 5W5 SHEET FIG. 5A-

PATENTEU AUG 5 975 SHEEI READILY REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT HANDLE REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTION This invention bears some relationship to the Selley and Schaffer US. Pat. No. 3,621,511 entitled Detachable Handle Device," which issued Nov. 23, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a handle arrangement for a tool or other device normally equipped with a handle, and more particularly to a handle arrangement such that the user can readily insert or remove the handle, yet be able to freely and effectively manipulate it when in the installed position.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of removable handle arrangements have been taught by the prior art, but in all known instances these arrangements have been sufficiently difficult and cumbersome to use as to discourage the operator user from making frequent use of the opportunity to remove the handle. It is well known that most vacuum cleaners or other floor devices utilize handles which can in fact be removed from the machine, but normally these are held in place by the use of screws, bolts, or pins. Obviously, the average user does not want to go to the trouble to locate the tools necessary to remove the handle, and then possibly have to apply a considerable amount of strength, so he or she will typically transport the machine to a remote location, even involving carrying it in an automobile, without bothering to remove the bandle, even though to be able to do so would at times be quite advantageous.

Some devices are equipped with fastening means in the nature of a thumb bolt, but these arrangements be come worn in use and in time need to be tightened by the use of pliers or the like, which of course brings back the original problem sought to be overcome.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION This invention teaches an implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the lower portion of which, insertion means is utilized, and a receiving means having a recess therein of a size for receiving said insertion means. A slidable member is operatively disposed upon the insertion means, with the slidable member being movable between a first position and a second position. The slidable member, when disposed, in the first position, allowing the insertion means to be inserted into the receiving means as well as to be removed easily therefrom, whereas movement of the slid able member to its second position during the time that the insertion means is inside the recess of the receiving means causes a diminishment of the clearance in the recess, such that the insertion means is locked to the receiving means.

The slidable member is preferably part of a spring, with the spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means are provided for engaging the upstanding portion such that the spring can be removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle locking position. Movement of the upstanding portion away from the retention means enables the slidable member to be moved to its first position, such that the handle can be removed from the implement.

The insertion means may involve a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by receiving means in the form ofa pair of similarly spaced receiving members.

It is therefore a principal object of our invention to provide a handle arrangement involving a handle that can be rapidly removed from an implement, but when installed. providing a strong, rigid lock-up without the use of close tolerance, machined parts.

It is another object of this invention to provide a handle which can be rapidly and readily installed upon a tool or machine, which will not come loose in an undesirable manner, but yet which is economical to manufacture, requiring only a single, inexpensive movable part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bandle for a machine or the like which can be moved freely and effectively, which does not require any tools for its attachment, and which is lightweight yet sturdy, and able to be manipulated in a fast, easy operation.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from a study of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of our handle in its installed position on a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, yet with mating handle components disposed in disassembled relation;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view revealing the movement of the slidable spring member away from its locking position;

FIG. 3A reveals a typical receiving means;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the slidable member in its locking position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the slidable member moved away from the locking position;

FIG. 5A is a fragmentary view showing how the insertion means can be moved past a locking pin used in the respective receiving means; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the slidable member disposed in its locking position, with a detent means engaging the slidable member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to FIG. 1 it will be noted that we have shown handle 14 in an operative position on the wheeled motor unit 11 of a vacuum cleaner, although it must be borne in mind that we may utilize our novel handle arrangement on a wide variety of devices. Visible in this figure as well as in related FIG. 2 are the pivotably mounted handle receiving members 69, as well as the slots 15 in the upper portion of the wheeled motor unit 11 in which the members 69 are movable when the handle is moved by the user to various operating positions. A spring 76 is associated with each member 69, tending to move it to a forward position. The reader will notice a similarity of these illustrations and some of the reference numerals to the apparatus shown in certain figures of the Selley and Schaffer U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,333, which issued Sept. 28, 1971 to the assignee of the present invention.

The handle 14 has a broadened lower portion 18, upon which are disposed several components in accordance with this invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the handle having been removed a distance away from contact with the handle receiving members 69 of the wheeled motor unit 11, thus to reveal the notched insertion means or members 68 on the portion 18 of the handle. These insertion means, also referred to as first means, are of a spacing and configuration as to be received in respective recesses in receiving members 69, also referred to as second means, when the handle is again brought into the immediate vicinity of the wheeled motor unit. It is to be noted that while we use two members or means 68 and two members or means 69 in the preferred arrangement, which is a bifurcated type construction, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of our invention to utilize a handle arrangement in which a single member 68 and a single member 69 are utilized. For a reason described at length hereinafter, each member 68 fits comparatively loosely in the recess in the respective member 69 until such time as a locking arrangement in accordance with this invention is utilized for securing respective members 68 and 69 in the interfitted position.

Visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the rear side of lower portion 18 of the handle is a locking means in the form of a spring 73. This spring, also known as a slidable member, is slidably disposed in a spring guide 74, and is provided with an upstanding portion 77 engagable by the users foot or hand. By appropriate manipulation of the spring 73, the handle 14 may be selectively locked to, or released from, the wheeled motor unit 11, as will be discussed hereinafter.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be seen from this enlarged view of the rear side of the lower handle portion 18 that each insertion means or member 68 is designed to have angled or sloped surfaces 680 and 68b, which configuration facilitates the insertion of each of these members into the recess of its respective receiving means or member 69. A slot 71 is provided on what may be regarded as the forward side of each member 68, which slot is so placed as to substantially coincide with the placement of a pin 72 that is located in each member 69. FIG. 3A as well as related FIGS. 4 and 5 reveal the interior of each member 69 to be essentially hollow, and into each of these members the respective insertion member 68 can be inserted sufficiently far that the hooked portions 71a of the slots 71 can engage the pins 72, and thus enable a person grasping the handle 14 to lift the wheeled motor unit. As shown in FIGS. 3 thru 6, encircling bumper members 79 of neoprene or the like may be employed on the members 68, adjacent the portion 18 of the handle, to take up any axial slack possibly present between members 68 and 69.

As will be apparent from FIG. 5 in particular, the interior or recess portion of each receiving member 69 must be sufficiently large to allow the respective inser tion member 68 to pass over or by the pin 72 in the manner shown in FIG. 5A, and thereafter move to engage same, so quite obviously means have to be provided for preventing each insertion member 68 from moving away from the pin-engaging position, except of course when disengagement of the handle from the wheeled motor unit 11 is desired. Such means will now be described.

FIGS. 3 through 6 reveal the use in accordance with this invention of a slidable locking member in the form of a spring 73, which is generally U-shaped. This spring member may be regarded as being disposed on the lower rear portion 18 of handle 14, and is movable by the user between the lowered or locked position shown in FIGS. I and 4, and the raised or unlocked position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Somewhat correspondingly, FIG. 3 shows the spring 73 in the unlocked position and FIG. 6 shows the spring in the locking position. As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the spring 73 may be regarded as mounted or supported in the spring guide 74 secured by screws 74a upon the broadened rear portion 18 of the handle 14. This spring guide is provided with a pair of angled slots 75 in which the base or mid portion of the spring 73 is movable.

The spring 73 is of a substantially U-shaped configuration, with the upstanding portion 77 being at more or less right angles to the rest of spring 73. This portion 77 is of course to be contacted by the user's hand or foot when the handle is being locked or unlocked, as previously mentioned. It is important to note that a generally rectangular aperture 78 is provided in member 74, through which the upstanding portion 77 extends. This aperture has inner sides along which abutting portions of the upstanding spring portion can travel when the spring 73 is being moved to and from the locking position. We deliberately configure the sides of aperture 78 contacting the portion 77 of the spring to be closer together than the normal dimension of portion 77 of the spring, which of course means that sufficient friction is present that the spring 73 can be expected to remain in the position selected by the user's foot, until such time as a deliberate effort is made to move the spring to the opposite position. This is to say, the interrelationships of these members is such that a retention means is defined for holding the spring in the selected position, such as in the handle-locking position.

Notches 81, perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, are engaged by the spring portion 77 when the spring is in the locking position shown in FIG. 6, and notches 82, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, are engaged by the spring portion 77 when the spring is in the unlocked position shown in FIG. 3, with these notches serving in the manner of a detent to retain the spring portion 77 without dislodgment in the selected position until a definite or deliberate effort is made by the user to move the spring 73 to the opposite position.

As will be apparent from inspecting a number of the figures of drawing, the tip or end portions 83 and 84 of the spring 73 reside in slots or grooves 85 and 86, respectively, these slots being located on the rear sides of the members 68, that is the sides opposite the slots 71. Thus, when the upstanding portion 77 of the spring 73 has been moved to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 3, the tip portions of the spring are withdrawn from the outer portions of the member 68, whereas when the up standing portion 77 is moved to the locking position shown in FIG. 6, the tip portions 83 and 84 reside in the grooves 85 and 86 for their full extent, and actually extend above the original contour of the member 68. In other words, the slidable portions or members 83 and 84 serve to increase the effective size of the insertion means or members, thus to bring about a handle locking action. Retaining rivets are utilized in the handle portion 18 to prevent displacement of the ends 83 and 84 of the spring from their intended path of travel.

It is of consequence to note that the notches 81 slope for a considerable extent, thus being of a configuration and dimension such that the spring portion or detent 77 will be held firmly and without dislodgment in whichever axial position the spring ends 83 and 84 in a given instance till all of the space 87 otherwise existing be tween a given interfitted pair of members 68 and 69.

This arrangement thus greatly simplifies manufacturing tolerances, and makes it possible to avoid having to handcraft the position of the notches in order that they will hold the handle in a locked position in which there is no likelihood of radial motion or rotation oecuring between a given pair of interfitted members 68 and 69.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that FIG. 4 reveals the slidable member 73 moved to the locking position. in which the tip portions of the spring move into contact with the interior of the members 69, when the members 68 and 69 have been interfitted. FIG. 5, representing the unlocked version of the arrangement, reveals a space 87 existing between the members 68 and 69 when the hooked portion 71a of the slot 71 is in engagement with the pin 72. As previously explained, the space between these members is necessary in order for the insertion members to be movable past the pin 72 of the respective member 69 during the insertion and removal procedures. FIG. 5A reveals the members or means 68 and 69 in their insertion or removal attitudes, wherein the space 87 is of particular consequence.

When on the other hand, the portion 77 of the spring 73 has been moved to the other end of the aperture 78, to the locking position illustrated in FIG. 4, the tip portion 83 (and 84) extend out into the slots 85 and 86, and in doing so, close up the space 87 depicted in FIG. 5, thus bringing about the locked relationship of components illustrated in FIG. 4. As will be noted, the pres ence of the tip 83 at the location 88 indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 makes impossible a sufficient movement of the member 68 that would allow the hooked portion 71a to move past the pin 72 and permit removal of the members 68 from the members 69.

As should now be apparent, we have provided an implement handle arrangement of simplified yet sturdy construction that makes it possible to removably attach a handle upon a vacuum cleaner or the like in a minimum length of time.

As pointed out, the receiving means are larger than the normal size of the insertion means, which of course means that a space normally exists in the receiving means after the insertion means have been placed in position therein. However, slidable means associated with the insertion means or members makes it possible for the user to diminish if not entirely eliminate the aforementioned space, and this of course has the effect of interlocking the receiving means and the insertion means until such time as the handle is to be removed. At that time, the slidable member or means is moved away from the locking position, which enables the receiving members and the insertion members to be immediately separated.

We claim:

1. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the lower portion of which, insertion means is utilized, and a receiving means having a recess therein of a size for receiving said insertion means, a slidable member operatively disposed upon and removably secured to said insertion means, with said slidable member being movable between a first position and a second position, said slidable member when disposed in the first position allowing said insertion means to be inserted into said receiving means as well as to be removed easily therefrom, whereas movement of said slidable member to its second position during the time that the insertion means is inside the recess of said receiving means, causing a diminishment of the clearance in the recess, such that said insertion means is locked to said receiving means.

2. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said slidable member is part of a spring, said spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.

3. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein movement of said upstanding portion away from said retention means enables said slidable member to be moved to its first position, such that the handle can be removed from the implement.

4. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.

5. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the lower portion of which insertion means is contained, and receiving means having a recess therein for receiving said insertion means, means for removably locking said insertion means in the recess of said receiving means when the pair of means have been interfitted, said insertion means being somewhat smaller than the recess provided in said receiving means, but being retained in the locked condition therein by a slidable member, said slidable member normally being secured with respect to said insertion means in a withdrawn position in which it does not re side upon an active portion of said insertion means where it can contact said receiving means, said slidable member thus not normally inhibiting the removal of the insertion means from the receiving means, said slidable member being movable such that a tip portion thereof resides upon an active portion of said insertion means when it has been inserted into said receiving means, with the interrelation of the several components being such that said tip of said slidable member when inside said receiving means, diminishing the clearance of said recess and effectively preventing removal of said insertion means until such time as the slidable member has been moved back to the withdrawn position.

6. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which retention means are provided for normally holding said slidable member in the position in which it inhibits removal of the handle.

7. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.

8. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 7 in which said slidable member is part ofa spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.

9. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an interfitting relationship with means on the unit to be equipped with a handle, the first mentioned means being equipped with a locking contour thereon, and the second mentioned means having a contour-receiving portion, such that when said first and second mentioned means have been interfitted, a locking together is achieved, means for preventing a separation of said first mentioned and said second mentioned means, said means for preventing separation involving the use of a slidable member movably secured with respect to said first mentioned means and arranged to reside on occasion atop said first mentioned means, said slidable member, when disposed atop said first men tioned means, substantially decreasing the clearance otherwise existing between said first and said second means when interfitted, thus locking said locking contour in engagement with said contour-receiving portion.

10. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which retention means are provided for normally retaining said slidable member in the locking position in which it resides upon said first mentioned means, which retention means can be overcome at such time as the handle is to be removed.

11. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which said first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.

12. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 11 in which said slidable member is part of a spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the handle locking position.

13. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an interfitting relationship with means on said unit, the first mentioned means being equipped with a locking contour thereon, and the second mentioned means having a contour-receiving portion, such that when said first mentioned and second mentioned means have been interfitted, a locking together can be achieved, a clearance normally existing between said first mentioned and second means when they have been interfitted, means for preventing a separation of said first mentioned and said second mentioned means by minimizing the clearance, thus to prevent relative movement, said means for minimizing clearance involving a slidable member having a tip portion arranged to reside on occasion upon said first mentioned means, said tip portion, when residing upon said first mentioned means, substantially decreasing the clear ance otherwise existing between said first mentioned and said second mentioned means, thus forcing said locking contour to engage said contour-receiving portion, said slidable member, upon being withdrawn such that its tip portion does not reside upon the first mentioned means, allowing sufficient clearance for said locking contour to be moved from engagement with said contour-receiving portion.

14. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 13 in which said first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.

IS. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 14 in which said slidable member is a spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, having a pair of tip por tions arranged to reside on occasion upon said spaced members, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the handle locking position.

16. An implement handle arrangement usable for removably providing a handle upon an implement, said handle having an insertion member at its lower end, and the implement having a receiving member arranged to receive said insertion member, said receiving member having a recess therein that is normally larger than said insertion member, slidable means secured upon said insertion member and movable with respect thereto on occasion in order to increase the effective size of said insertion member, such that when the receiving member and the insertion member have been interfitted, the movement of said slidable means relative to said insertion means locks the members together and prevents the undesired removal of the handle from the implement.

17. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim l6 in which said insertion member is equipped with a slot having a hooklike portion, and said receiving member is equipped with a pin to be engaged by said hooklike portion when said members have been inter fitted, with said slidable means serving to prevent movement of said hooklike portion away from said pin until such time as it is desired to remove said handle.

18. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 17 in which the handle is equipped with a spaced pair of insertion members and the implement is equipped with a spaced pair of receiving members for receiving said insertion members, said slidable means being in the form of a generally U-shaped spring whose tip portions are disposed along said insertion members, said tip portions, when extended, serving to bring about the locking relationship between the insertion and receiving members.

19. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 18 in which retention means are provided adjacent said U-shaped spring, such that said spring will normally be retained in a selected position.

20. The implement handle arrangement as defined as claim 18 in which said U-shaped spring is equipped with an upstanding portion adapted to be contacted on occasion by the hand or foot of the user in order that the spring can readily be moved toward or away from the locking position.

2]. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 20 in which means defining an aperture are provided in which said upstanding portion is slidable, said aperture having inner sides along which said upstanding portion can travel as said tip portions are moved to and from locking positions, said upstanding portion being configured to fit tightly between said inner sides of said aperture, said aperture having notches therein possessing considerable slope, which notches serve to hold said upstanding portion in whatever position corresponds to an effective locking position of said tip portions with respect to said insertion and receiving members. 

1. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the lower portion of which, insertion means is utilized, and a receiving means having a recess therein of a size for receiving said insertion means, a slidable member operatively disposed upon and removably secured to said insertion means, with said slidable member being movable between a first position and a second position, said slidable member when disposed in the first position allowing said insertion means to be inserted into said receiving means as well as to be removed easily therefrom, whereas movement of said slidable member to its second position during the time that the insertion means is inside the recess of said receiving means, causing a diminishment of the clearance in the recess, such that said insertion means is locked to said receiving means.
 2. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said slidable member is part of a spring, said spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.
 3. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein movement of said upstanding portion away from said retention means enables said slidable member to be moved to its first position, such that the handle can be removed from the implement.
 4. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.
 5. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the lower portion of which insertion means is contained, and receiving means having a recess therein for receiving said insertion means, means for removably locking said insertion means in the recess of said receiving means when the pair of means have been interfitted, said insertion means being somewhat smaller than the recess provided in said receiving means, but being retained in the locked condition therein by a slidable member, said slidable member normally being secured with respect to said insertion means in a withdrawn position in which it does not reside upon an active portion of said insertion means where it can contact said receiving means, said slidable member thus not normally inhibiting the removal of the insertion means from the receiving means, said slidable member being movable such that a tip portion thereof resides upon an active portion of said insertion means when it has been inserted into said receiving means, with the interrelation of the several components being such that said tip of said slidable member when inside said receiving means, diminishing the clearance of said recess and effectively preventing removal of said insertion means until such time as the slidable member has been moved back to the withdrawn position. Pg,13
 6. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which retention means are provided for normally holding said slidable member in the position in which it inhibits removal of the handle.
 7. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.
 8. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 7 in which said slidable member is part of a spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.
 9. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an interfitting relationship with means on the unit to be equipped with a handle, the first mentioned means being equipped with a locking contour thereon, and the second mentioned means having a contour-receiving portion, such that when said first and second mentioned means have been interfitted, a locking together is achieved, means for preventing a separation of said first mentioned and said second mentioned means, said means for preventing separation involving the use of a slidable member movably secured with respect to said first mentioned means and arranged to reside on occasion atop said first mentioned means, said slidable member, when disposed atop said first mentioned means, substantially decreasing the clearance otherwise existing between said first and said second means when interfitted, thus locking said locking contour in engagement with said contour-receiving portion.
 10. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which retention means are provided for normally retaining said slidable member in the locking position in which it resides upon said first mentioned means, which retention means can be overcome at such time as the handle is to be removed.
 11. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which said first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.
 12. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 11 in which said slidable member is part of a spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the handle locking position.
 13. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an interfitting relationship with means on said unit, the first mentioned means being equipped with a locking contour thereon, and the second mentioned means having a contour-receiving portion, such that when said first mentioned and second mentioned means have been interfitted, a locking together can be achieved, a clearance normally existing between said first mentioned and second means when they have been interfitted, means for preventing a separation of said first mentioned and said second mentioned means by minimizing the clearance, thus to prevent relative movement, said means for minimizing clearance involving a slidable member having a tip portion arranged to reside on occasion upon said first mentioned means, said tip portion, when residing upon said first mentioned means, substantially decreasing the clearance otherwise existing between said first mentioned and said second mentioned means, thus forcing said locking contour to engage said contour-receiving portion, said slidable member, upon being withdrawn such that its tip portion does not reside upon the first mentioned means, allowing sufficient clearance for said locking contour to be moved from engagement wIth said contour-receiving portion.
 14. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 13 in which said first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of similarly spaced receiving members.
 15. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 14 in which said slidable member is a spring of substantially U-shaped configuration, having a pair of tip portions arranged to reside on occasion upon said spaced members, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured in the handle locking position.
 16. An implement handle arrangement usable for removably providing a handle upon an implement, said handle having an insertion member at its lower end, and the implement having a receiving member arranged to receive said insertion member, said receiving member having a recess therein that is normally larger than said insertion member, slidable means secured upon said insertion member and movable with respect thereto on occasion in order to increase the effective size of said insertion member, such that when the receiving member and the insertion member have been interfitted, the movement of said slidable means relative to said insertion means locks the members together and prevents the undesired removal of the handle from the implement.
 17. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 16 in which said insertion member is equipped with a slot having a hooklike portion, and said receiving member is equipped with a pin to be engaged by said hooklike portion when said members have been interfitted, with said slidable means serving to prevent movement of said hooklike portion away from said pin until such time as it is desired to remove said handle.
 18. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 17 in which the handle is equipped with a spaced pair of insertion members and the implement is equipped with a spaced pair of receiving members for receiving said insertion members, said slidable means being in the form of a generally U-shaped spring whose tip portions are disposed along said insertion members, said tip portions, when extended, serving to bring about the locking relationship between the insertion and receiving members.
 19. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 18 in which retention means are provided adjacent said U-shaped spring, such that said spring will normally be retained in a selected position.
 20. The implement handle arrangement as defined as claim 18 in which said U-shaped spring is equipped with an upstanding portion adapted to be contacted on occasion by the hand or foot of the user in order that the spring can readily be moved toward or away from the locking position.
 21. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 20 in which means defining an aperture are provided in which said upstanding portion is slidable, said aperture having inner sides along which said upstanding portion can travel as said tip portions are moved to and from locking positions, said upstanding portion being configured to fit tightly between said inner sides of said aperture, said aperture having notches therein possessing considerable slope, which notches serve to hold said upstanding portion in whatever position corresponds to an effective locking position of said tip portions with respect to said insertion and receiving members. 